Disclaimer: Not mine.. yada yada yada..:P
A/N: Ahhh! *ducks the flying goose* *watches as it sails over the southern ocean to land somewhere in Antarctica, shrill chirps following it* okaaaaay… *whew* I can take a hint! Yes I know it's been like soooooo loooooong, but I have a really good excuse, really I do! It's called the end of school for the year exams, starting a new part-time job and spending days and days of Christmas shopping (which I'm not complaining about, but when your feet are swollen to the size of melons... it's another story!! lol.)
Okay, well I've babbled on enough, as usual, review responses at the end! Thanx to all, you make me feel really appreciated and I hope this chapter doesn't suck majorly. If anyone is OOC I really can't help it because if I changed certain reactions, well… the plot just WOULDN'T work now, would it? Anyhoo… if it can be fixed send me a review! *wink wink* hehehe.
Ack! I'm doing it again! On with the chapterrrrr!!!
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Chapter Four: Discoveries.
Lupin read the last line again.
Wife? Remus was utterly shocked. Severus Snape was Harry's father. He dropped the letter and drew in a shaky breath. A sharp intake of breath next to him startled him. Looking up, he came face to face with Severus Snape himself.
"S S Severus, I…" stammered Remus, paling visibly.
The Potion Master's face was totally blank of any emotion, his lips drawn into a tight, thin line and his fathomless black eyes fixed unblinkingly on Remus.
"What… are you doing?" asked Severus, his voice a deadly whisper.
Remus picked up his vials with shaky hands. "Getting my…"
"Did you read ALL of it, werewolf?" hissed Severus, taking an intimidating step forward. Remus lowered his gaze to the letter before staring back defiantly at Severus.
"Yes," he answered calmly.
"It is none of your BUSINESS!!" roared Severus, his face a mask of pure anger.
Remus stood up straighter and lifted his chin. "It is now."
Severus blinked.
"Excuse me?" he asked in outrage.
"I love Harry like a son, Severus. I have a right to know the truth, as does he. You are going to tell him, right?" asked Remus, unconsciously but tactfully removing the man's attention from himself to Harry.
Severus' mask fell for a moment but he quickly picked it back up again. Although it wasn't quick enough for Remus to glimpse the Potion Master's true feelings. Hurt, anger, despair, hope, frantic, panic and worry were only the beginning.
Severus bowed his head. In truth, it would be a relief to tell someone. Just not Lupin. But seeing as he knew of Harry's true parentage and awaiting an explanation, there was not much choice. So, he broke down into the story of his time at school, up until Lily and James were killed.
Remus just sat there listening, letting the information wash over him and allowing time for it to sink in.
When Severus had finished, he was sitting down with his elbows resting on his knees and his face hidden by his hands.
A few minutes passed in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
"You have to tell him," announced Remus.
"I know," Severus replied, his voice muffled by his hands.
"So are you?" prompted Remus.
"No"
"Severus!" said Remus in a warning tone.
"What?" demanded Severus.
"You'll tell him," said Remus. "And you'll tell Albus too." He added as an after thought.
"No need to," replied Severus, dropping his hands into his lap.
"Why not?" asked Remus, bewildered.
"Because the barmy old codger's been listening in through the open portrait hole."
A mock, long-suffering sigh sounded from the portrait hole and Dumbledore glided over clad in rich violet robes with silver embroidered dragons which actually flew on the garment.
"I've always prided myself on knowing nearly all of which was going on inside of Hogwarts' walls." He commented wistfully. "Where did I go wrong?" he bent so that his face was level with Severus'.
"You know, I remember telling a certain house-elf it would be alright to call me that, and he sure as Merlin didn't look like you!" his eyes twinkled brightly. "Congratulations on your marriage, Severus. And congratulations on a baby boy!" he smiled kindly at Severus and patted his shoulder reassuringly.
Standing upright, he added: "How did you know I was there, by the way Severus? I had an invisibility charm on."
"I heard you come down the stairs after me and anyone could hear your ears flapping!"
Remus was shocked to hear someone talk that way to Albus but the headmaster didn't seem at all fazed. In fact, he looked concerned.
"It will be alright Severus. Just think, you now have what you longed for, what you wanted more than anything!" said Dumbledore.
"Oh yeah," replied Severus sarcastically. "A son who hates me, my own damn fault of course. I've always dreamed this day would come."
Albus smiled sadly down at Severus.
"Harry doesn't hate you Severus, he may think, er… that you're a little er… unfair sometimes, but he'll understand. He'll learn to accept eventually."
"No he won't," replied Severus bitterly. "Not the way his 'slimy git of a potions professor' has treated him these last four years."
"I think you need to get to know your son, Severus. He'll be over-the-moon that he has a proper family. He'll be ecstatic to leave the Dursleys." Said Remus thoughtfully.
"Maybe he would," admitted Severus. "But I'm hardly a proper family. The Dursleys would be a hundred times better than me. The way he's spoiled."
"Spoiled?" demanded Remus darkly. "Spoiled!!" he repeated in outrage. "Let me tell you a little story Snape! Harry grew up living in a cupboard under the stairs for ELEVEN years! He grew up in there starved, knowing nothing about our world and believing his parents had died in a car crash. He didn't receive any birthday presents, no Christmas presents, nothing until he came to Hogwarts! He was treated like vermin because of what he is, a wizard. He didn't even know why and he grew up believing he was a waste of life, a burden and a pain in the ass!
Then he comes to Hogwarts only to learn his parents were killed by the most evil Dark Wizard of all time, that everything was a lie and he was supposed to be the famous; "Boy-who-lived!" He hates his fame and then he gets here to have Voldemort after him in his first year, rescued by the Weasleys from his relatives in the Summer Holidays and the whole school believing he was Slytherin's Heir second year as well as nearly being killed by Tom Riddle and a Basilisk.
Believing an escaped convict was trying to murder him in his third year while hearing his parents' deaths played over and over in his head when a dementor drew near and when he learned the truth about Sirius he was under the ecstatic belief he was leaving the Dursleys forever to stay with his godfather who he had only begun to trust 10 minutes earlier. THAT is how desperate he is Severus! THAT is how much he craves for love and acceptance. THAT is why he is currently staying at the Weasleys.
Of course that dream was shattered because I transformed without my potion and Peter escaped. In fourth year he finally has some joy in his life at the World Cup, but no, that's destroyed by deatheaters! Then Barty Crouch Junior enters him in the Triwizard Tournament and he goes through pure torture from the school with even his own bestfriend shunning him over a petty jealousy. Then he's sent to Voldemort's rebirth, tortured, escapes barely alive from a duel with Voldemort and comes back with the decency and courage to retrieve Diggory's body. Then of course he comes back to be nearly killed again immediately and then weighed under the guilt of Diggory's death and his Godfather's innocence.
And YOU have the nerve to make such a horrifyingly inaccurate assumption, without any evidence! Didn't you ever notice the hand-me-down RAGS that are ridiculously big and old from his whale of a cousin? Those are all the clothes he has! He even never had money till Hagrid rescued him four years ago!"
Severus was taken aback. His face set in a rigid blank. His teeth had clenched and his nostril where painfully flared, indeed, he looked as though he had been slapped in the face and more.
"I think I will… take a walk outside… alone," and with that he got up stiffly and left. Dumbledore eyed the marauder with pride in his eyes.
"That was some speech. Care to tell?"
Remus shrugged unconcernedly.
"Hagrid told me on our last mission together. Very fond of Harry, he is." He replied.
Dumbledore sighed. "Well, hopefully that has out some new light on his problems." He sighed again, this time regretfully. "I should never have left him with his relatives. But what other choice did I have?" he shook his head sadly.
"You didn't know. And it's kept him safe from the darkside, at least before he came to Hogwarts." Pointed out Remus.
"Yes, can't argue that. But it still didn't keep him safe from having a bad childhood. I'm sorry Remus, I should have let you take him but it just wouldn't have been as safe." Albus looked at the objects Remus was fiddling with. "Shouldn't you be drinking those?" he asked innocently.
"What? Oh… yeah…" Remus uncorked a vial, smoke drifting form the open mouth of the bottle. With one gulp he downed the repulsive potion.
He shuddered.
"Disgusting!"
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"Yuck! That's disgusting!" exclaimed Harry, wiping his mouth.
"I know, but Madam Pomfrey gave strict instruction for you to drink all of it!" replied Mrs. Weasley, forcing the bottle back into Harry's hands.
Knowing better than to argue, Harry took a deep breath and pinching his nose he gulped down the potion as fast as he could without actually choking.
"There, that wasn't so bad now, was it?" cooed Mrs. Weasley.
Harry's eyes widened and he clamped a hand over his mouth.
"Oh no you don't! You have to keep it down!" she commanded seriously. She handed him a goblet of Pumpkin Juice to wash it down.
"Hey Harry," called Fred once his mother had left the room.
"Yeah…" prompted Harry suspiciously.
George tutted in a very Molly Weasley way.
"No need to be suspicious, we have a proposition to make," he announced grinning madly.
"With your extremely generous donation, we have opted to buy a property once we leave Hogwarts and turn it into a joke shop."
"We've also managed to invent some new products…"
"Aaaand we need your seal of approval," finished Fred.
"Why?" asked Harry.
"Because, we've decided to make you our co-manager of Weasley Wizard Wheezes. Mum's practically adopted you anyway…"
Harry gaped at them like a fish out of water. "Really?"
"Yep, and your paying price to us, of course is…"
"Not money of course, you've given us enough!" cut in George.
Fred elbowed him in the stomach. "Your paying price or 'debt in return' or whatever is your seal of approval."
"What do I have to do?" asked Harry cautiously.
"Your seal of approval means that you need to test a product in order to observe what it does and if it works accordingly, then approved. Also any ideas on inventions we could do would be greatly appreciated!"
"So, you in?" asked George.
Harry grinned evilly. "In!"
The rest of the week went along innocently and quickly. Well, as innocent as possible with Fred and George slipping him products to be tested at Hogwarts. Harry's eye healed, the bags soon disappearing after the third night of dreamless sleep potion. (He couldn't take it every night as it has some rather nasty side effects.)
Harry's hair stopped growing so rapidly and came to a stop so that it tickled his chin and neck and although he was still skinny, he had managed to gain four kilograms thanks to Mrs. Weasley's cooking and she thought it was a wonderful accomplishment after only a week. But, as Ron pointed out he had been starved so he wouldn't be surprised if he had gained ten with Mrs. Weasley almost shoving food down his throat.
The next Friday came and Hermione was due at any moment. It was Harry's 15th Birthday and it would be the first he spent with people who actually cared about him. Besides Hagrid.
George had just slipped him something called 'Sneezles,' to try out later.
They make the person who eats it sneeze for an hour, not only that, but at each sneeze boogey fly out of their nose! That's not the best part though, you can eat them!
At Harry's appalled face, Fred quickly continued.
"They're not real bogeys, they only look it and each one has a different flavour!"
Harry laughed. He had big plans for these! Just as he slipped them into his pocket Hermione burst through the fireplace, her trunk flew out after her.
"Oomph!" grunted Hermione. Brushing herself off she said, "Thankyou for inviting me, Mrs. Weasley. It's nice to see you all again."
"It's nice to see you too, love!" acknowledged Mrs. Weasley.
"Hey Ron!" Hermione exclaimed, giving him a friendly hug. Her bushy, brown hair floated in his face. He blew it out of the way in annoyance.
"All right Hermione?" asked Ron, smiling good-naturedly.
"Hi Harry!" she did the smallest of double takes. "You've grown!" she murmured. Ron snorted in the background.
"Oh shut up Ron!" grumbled Harry.
Hermione and he embraced kind of awkwardly. Her brown hair smelt of apples and honey and Harry was quite happy for it to float in his face, it smelt rather nice.
"Yes, erm… uh… well, wouldn't you like to go an unpack Hermione? Ginny will help you, you are to be staying in her room." Said Mrs. Weasley smiling madly.
Ron bit his lip.
"Come on, Harry. Maybe you can explain what 'sneezles' are to me," he winked.
Mrs. Weasley looked at Ron in surprise. "Why Ron, surely you know…" but it was too late, Ron had dragged Harry upstairs and into his room.
After a quick explanation of what sneezles were, Harry didn't give anything away other than Fred and George had given them to him for the sole purpose of presenting him with a gift on his birthday.
Ron excitedly talked with Harry on the numerous ways he could use them (the victims ranging from Malfoy, Snape, Crabbe, Malfoy, Snape, Goyle, Malfoy and well, Snape.) Before Harry agreed that they'd use them together.
"What?" asked Harry, finally growing tired of watching Ron chew on his lip while gazing absently into the gold-fish bowl on his desk where a clump of slippery frog-spawn floated. Ron's eyes snapped up, jerking away from La la land.
"Just thinking," he replied distractedly. "Do you like Hermione?" he asked suddenly.
Harry was taken aback. He blinked before answering; "Of course I do! She's my bestfriend, like you!"
"That's not what I meant," commented Ron wryly.
"Do you?" asked Harry quickly, ignoring a sudden, strange pang. "I mean I know you hated the idea of her going to the Yule Ball with Viktor Krum and all and I thought that…"
"Well…" Ron interrupted. "I did have a… thing for her at first. At least I thought I did. Hormones are so confusing!" he added, wrinkling up his nose. Harry chuckled.
"But – now that I think about it, I guess it was guilt."
"What??" exclaimed Harry, for the second time.
Ron grinned sheepishly.
"Well, I mean when I got all petty and jealous and didn't believe that you didn't truly put your name in that goblet. I felt horribly ashamed and guilty and I guess I took it out on Viktor and Hermione. At first I thought I was protecting Hermione, but now that I think about it I was protecting you, trying to make up for being such a prat and blaming Krum for trying to get close to you.
And then Hermione was covering up for him, rightly so, but I was angry… angry at… myself, I guess. So I started fighting with her saying Krum was just trying to find out if you knew any clues for the Tournament." Ron smiled at Harry weakly. "Do you think I was being a stupid prat?" he asked, biting his lip again.
"Yes," replied Harry. "But thankyou for being one," he added grinning.
Ron grinned back and the two young men collapsed in laughter.
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A/N: Well that chapter was… yeah… ok I guess. I'll try getting the next one up as soon as I can, but I haven't written it out yet… so… I only have an outline of what I want to have happen, but anyhoo… onto the review responses!! ;)
---Review Responses---
(This is the response for the second chapter, it got cut off)
Zadiphillian Beryllix: Thankyou! I think that ur the only person who told me how to do it! No, you didn't confuse me! You were actually pretty clear! Thanks for the long review!! I've chosen the pairs, so hopefully you approve! ;)
Anna: Thanx! I think you are right! I hope so. Here's the next chapter!
Liv: Thankyou for the brilliant review! You are sooo right, I hope your not too disappointed with this chapter! (BTW: I left you another reply for this chapter down further)
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Responses for THIS chapter:
Lady FoxFire: Yes, Sirius will get a trial but not till later on in the story, although it's not as simple as that because there will be a few curious questions as to the letter, eh? ;) Thanx for the review!
Aniwda: Thanx! Yes he was rather nosy, wasn't he? But he cares a lot about Harry, so…
Charzy: Thanx for the review! I hope this meets your expectations!
Iniysa: Thankyou Lauren! Err… which do I call you? Bad wolfy indeed!! ;)
Nikcole: Wow!! Thankyou so much!! I truly hope u like this chapter too!
Liv: I won't stop this story, don't worry, I'd hate to do that to people! Thankyou for the wonderful review!
Izean: You'll have to wait and see! *grins* mwahahaha! Sorry for the wait!
Fizzysoda: Yep! Sure did! :D hehehe. At least I didn't leave a cliffie on this one! I think…
CokeFreak: Thankyou for the review! It means a lot to me!
Terra: Hey! Thanx for the review! I hope you like the rest too.
Azaelian: Wow!! *eyes boggling* Thankyou so much! Yep, the owls are definitely coming up again later! Not only that, but after Lupin's 'speech,' Severus is going to be lost in his thoughts for a while. He just caught Lupin snooping and then Lupin goes and basically said everything he thought about Harry was wrong and Sev doesn't like being wrong now, does he? Hehehe, anyway, I hope you like this chappie. I still didn't manage to get it how I wanted, but oh well..
Viscountess Babbles-on: :P :P Thanx for the brilliant review! Sev and Harry'll meet up soon, don't worry, but if the characters would only do what I tell 'em too!! *shakes head* And plus, I like seeing you sweat! Hehehe! Anywayz, thanx again!
Jade-dagger: Thankyou for the wonderful review!! He was a nosy bugger, eh?
Sky Brooks: *speechless* I hope you like the rest too! Thankyou so much! And I'm sorry about the wait!!
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A/N: Thanx to everyone who reviewed! No flames please!!!! Constructive criticism okaaay… comments, opinions, interrogance after I've left a particularly evil cliffie all welcome! Hehehe, fun!
Review please! I'll try to update quicker next time and reviews'll be my fuel! ;) Reviews are really important to a writer, I think.
Byeee!!!
Lisa ;)
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